Coffee Talk: Russell Simmons Inks Deal with HBO

• Russell Simmons is heading back to HBO. The music mogul inked a two-year deal with the cable network where he will develop projects. Simmons first made his mark on HBO in 1992 when he introduced Def Comedy Jam—which launched the careers of numerous Black comedians. It's unclear what kind of projects Simmons will be creating. [Hollywood Reporter]

• Michael Clarke Duncan's tomb was vandalized according to a family spokesperson. When a close friend went to visit the gravesite, they found a small figure, similar to a "sambo" face, was attached to the tomb. Duncan's family immediately filed a report with the LAPD and an investigation is underway. [TMZ]

• Was Jennifer Hudson approached to judge the upcoming season of American Idol? According to Vulture, sources have confirmed the show is considering creating a judges' panel filled with former contestants. In addition to Hudson, the very first American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, was also approached. Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken are also up for discussion about joining the show. [Vulture]

• Will Smith says there are similarities and differences between the way he was raised and the way he's raising his kids. The movie star spoke with Haute Living and revealed he and Jada don't think of their kids as property. "We respect our children the way we would respect any other person," said Smith. "Things like cleaning up their room. You would never tell a full-grown adult to clean their room, so we don't tell our kids to clean their rooms. Actually, we tell our kids 'you don't have a room, that's our room and we are letting you borrow it.'" [Haute Living]